We traveled to Victoria this past weekend to have a pre-Christmas visit with our family and friends.

The one bedroom suite that Jimmy found was pretty much a one bedroom apartment complete with dishwasher, oven/stove, full fridge and gas fireplaces. We also had a roof-top patio on our floor that was at our disposal. The weather was fairly warm and nice so we spent some time out there looking at the pretty views.

We arrived on a Friday and got settled in nicely with the kids. We prepared for our visit with Jimmy’s family the next day which was also Claire & Rhys’ actual 2nd birthday. Bob arrived at 10am and everyone else arrived at 11am. It was nice having some one on one time with Bob and the kids before everyone else arrived.

Once we all got settled-in, we had a great time! Yummy food, gifts for the kids, lots of chatting, listening to music, laughing, visits to the roof top patio. When it came time for Claire & Rhys’ nap time everyone went on a tour of the hotel and they had some fun goofing around in the gym 🙂

Thanks everyone! We had a great Christmas visit. Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year!

Nana Nic – you are always in our hearts and we miss you dearly….
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Claire & Rhys with their birthday presents from us:

All dressed up and ready for family to arrive:

Daily visits to our neighborhood parks still continue even when the weather is chilly, rainy, or windy.

We don’t last as long outside but it is nice to have empty parks so Claire & Rhys can run free with no worries…

They have taken a liking to trees and now regularly give them hugs 🙂

 

Two weeks ago we decided to go see Santa at our local mall. We’ve never attempted this milestone-moment before so we thought it would be a fun thing to do this year.

Who doesn’t like looking at photos of themselves sitting on Santa’s knee as a kid?

Santa’s ‘house’ was decorated in a very bright and non-traditional way. Not my personal favorite but the kids loved waiting in line looking at all the bright and exaggerated decorations. After waiting patiently for our turn we placed Claire & Rhys on Santa’s knees. We stood next to them so it wasn’t too terrifying and they ended up being quite brave and only cried a little.

I imagine it would be really scary as a little kid to have an older gentlemen with a great white big beard in a red suit asking you what you want for Christmas. Especially, when a. you don’t know what Christmas is and b. why are you sitting on his knee?

🙂

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Claire & Rhys will be turning two in December. Wow! Where does the time go?

I have now been back to work for one year and Jimmy has been a stay-at-home parent for one year. Needless to say it has been a very fun and exciting year for us but also very hard at times. Toddlers are a lot of work and require a lot of patience and guidance. We are so happy we were able to make the sacrifices that allowed Jimmy to stay at home with Claire & Rhys. It has been good for all of us.

Like most siblings Claire & Rhys are the best of friends at times and the worst of friends other times. Rhys is quite a comedian and makes his sister laugh a huge belly style laugh that is so awesome! They are very tender with each other.  They hug and kiss and snuggle up for story time together.

Jimmy has captured some really nice moments on video of Claire & Rhys together. Here are a few highlights:

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In-between neighborhood adventures Dad briefly let his gaze catch the seasonal leaves that adorn the fleeting fall change…

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I inherited this nice sewing box when my Mom passed away. It’s nearing the one year anniversary since she left us. Lots of feelings right now.

To say that I think of her often is a true understatement. She’s ever-present. Being an at-home parent now, like she was, certainly affords me time to reflect upon her Mothering days.

This sewing box is special to me because I remember sifting-through it and sorting it for her since an early age. While I do consider her as more of a knitter, she still found time to stitch and hem too. She was quite skilled in both realms.

This said, when it came time for Dee and I to utilize some of the needles and thread inside I couldn’t help but feel Mom’s presence. I know for a fact that she would’ve loved to see our two little owls run about and she’d think the labor-of-love was pretty neat.

Love you a whole bunchie-onechies Mom.
– Jimmy

We decided a few months ago to make Claire & Rhys’ Hallowe’en costumes this year just to try it out and get creative…. it was so much work!

The kids really liked wearing the costumes though and it felt really good to make them together (Jimmy & I) with some wine of course! in the evenings leading up to the Hallowe’en weekend. Jimmy made the masks and I made the wings and bodies – a great team effort.

We had two parties to go to and Claire & Rhys’ very first trick or treating adventure:

• We had the multiples group party on Saturday which was at a local community centre. They both ran about in their costumes for 1.5 hours and had great fun.
• The next day we had a party in our building with all the other parents and kids who live here which was also very fun.
• On Hallowe’en night we drove up to Faye & Niels cul-de-sac and went trick or treating along with their neighbors. They live in such a great spot with so many friendly families and young kids. It was a nice place to start off Claire & Rhys trick or treating adventure.

Claire & Rhys were really excited to follow the older kids around and say ‘trick or treat’ and have candy put into their bags. It was difficult to get them back in the van and go home for bedtime. It was a cold night but we had a great time and are already looking forward to Hallowe’en next year!

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Rhys saying woo-woo:

Claire & Rhys looking at photos of themselves:

Multiples Group Hallowe’en party (Claire loved the baby stroller):

Adventurous Rhys:

Rhys taking a reading break:

Successful completion of our 1st Hallowe’en event. Jimmy with his little owlets:

On our way out to go ‘trick or treating’:

Excited little owlets running to their first ‘trick or treat’ house:

Very first trick or treat:

Rhys was a bit chilly perched in a tree (He was safe! – I was right next to him)

Trick or treat frenzy at Jordan & Dustin’s house! Note the toothbrush – Jordan is an Orthodontist 🙂

Spooky skeleton:

Having a blast!

It’s cold! Time to go home: